Folding chair



Feb. 10, 1953 A. G. w. GROTEFEND 2,627,899

' FOLDING CHAIR Filed March 8, 1948 2 Sl-lEETS-SI-IEET 1 FlE. l

IN V EN TOR.

ALFRED QWQR TEFEND Feb. 10, 1953 A. G. w. GROTEFEND 2,627,899

FOLDING CHAIR Filed March 8, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR. ALFRED G .W. QRQTEF'ENJ:

Patented Feb. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDING CHAIR Alfred G. W. Grotefend, St. Paul, Minn.

Application March 8, 1948, Serial No. 13,560.

7 Claims. 1

My invention relates to an improvement in folding chairs wherein it is desired to provide an adjustable chair which may be folded. into a compact state.

Folding chairs of numerous types have been constructed in the past. These chairs usually have certain disadvantages. For one thing, folding chairs often are provided with a cross brace between the sides of the frame adjacent the seat of the chair. As a result the comfort of the person using the chair is sometimes disturbed by this cross brace. 4

It is the object of the present invention to provide a chair which is foldable into a comp-act space for storage and shipping and which may open up to form a chair having no cross brace near the seat of the chair. As a result the fabric panel which forms the seat and back of the chair may conform to the shape of the body to provide maximum comfort.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a chair which includes an adjustable back and an adjustable leg support. The back may be adjusted independently of the leg support so that numerous combinations of positions are possible.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a chair having a back which may be supported in a relatively upright position or in a relatively inclined position to support a person in a desired position. The chair also includes a seat portion which is adjustably connected to the back portion so that the angle of the seat portion may be adjusted relative to the back. As a result the chair may be adjusted to suit the desire of the user.

An added feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a chair having a back frame, a back supportin frame, a seat frame, a pair of seat supporting frames, and arm rests all of which fold into substantially parallel relation in folded condition of the chair so that the chair may be stored in a small space. .The frames are so proportioned as to fit one within another to permit easy assembly and are also designed to be extremely convenient to use.

tending dowels or connecting frame membersfl,

and I3. The frame member l2 connects the side members I 0 and I 1 near the upper extremity thereof, while the frame member l3 connects these side frame members near the lower extremity thereof. A back supporting frame is provided for holding the back frame, indicated in general by the numeral I4, in proper inclined position. The back supporting frame [5 includes a pair of parallel frame members l6 and H which are pivotally connected to the back frame members I0 and II by means of aligned pivots l9. One such aligned pivot connects the frame member ID to the side frame member I6. while the second pivot l9 connects the frame members H and IT. A transverse connecting fram member 26 extends between the free ends of the frame members It and H to hold the same in proper parallel relationship. The upper surfaces of the frame members l6 and I! are provided with spaced notches 2| for a purpose which will be later described. r

The supporting frame I5 is pivoted inwardly of the back frame l4 so that the frame members I6 and I! can swing between the back frame members l0 and H in folded condition of the chair. Thus the frame members l6 and I! are somewhat closer together than the. back frame members I0 and l l.

A second back supporting frame 22 cooperates with the frame I5 to hold the back frame M in proper inclined position. The frame 22 includes a pair of parallel arms 23 and 24 secured to the side frame members It and II by aligned pivots 25. The free ends of the parallel frame members 23 and 24 are connected by a dowel or cross frame member 26 of proper size for accommodation in any of the notches 2|. Thus when the frame member 26 is engaged in any pair of 0pposed notches 2 I, the back frame M will be held in a predetermined angular relation to the back supporting frame [5.

The chair rests upon the lower ends 26 of the back frame members It and II and upon the ends 21 of the back supporting frame members I6 and I1. Thus by varying the angular relation between the frame [4 and the frame I5, the angle of the back frame I4 may be regulated.

A seat frame 21 is pivotally connected to the frames l4 and I5 at the aligned pivots I9. The seat frame 21 includes a pair of substantially parallel arms 29 and 30 which are pivoted near one end to the pivots IS. The seat frame 21 is provided at one end with a cross frame member 3| and extends somewhat beyond the pivots I!) at the other end. The other ends of the frame members 29 and 30 are preferably connected'by a cross connecting member 32, which, however, is spaced substantially from the pivots l9.

In order to support the body of a person on the chair, an elongated flexible strip of fabric 'ber 46 and the link so or the like, indicated by the numeral 33, extends between the top cross member 12 of the back frame I4 and the forward connecting member 3| of the seat frame 27. The strip 33 is freely supported between these supports so that the strip will conform to the shape of the person sitting upon the chair. The side members 29 and of the seat frame 21 are somewhat closer together than the side frame members ['6 and I! of the back supporting frame :5 and may fold between these side members It and H in folded or collapsed position of the chair.

A seat supporting frame 34 i pivotally connected to the seat frame to hold the seat frame in adjusted position. The seat supporting frame 34 includes a pair of substantially parallel arms and 38 which are connected to the seat frame members 29 and 3% respectively by aligned pivots 31. The lower ends of the frame members 35 and '36 are connected by a Cross connecting frame member 39. The frame member 39 comprises a dowel or other circular member in preferred form, so that the seat adjusting frame may be pivotally mounted thereon.

The seat adjusting frame includes a pair of parallel arms 41 and 42 which are mounted for rotation upon the dowel 3.9 and which are held from substantial longitudinal movement thereon by any suitable means such as pins 43. A transversely extending frame member at connect the lower transverse frame member l3 of the back frame l4, so that the seat adjusting frame 40 may be adjusted relative to the lower end of the back frame.

It will be seen that by engaging the cros frame member 13 in one set of notches 45, the seat supporting frame 34 may be held in virtually upright position so as to elevate the forward end of the seat frame 27. On the other hand if the adjusting frame 23 is arranged with a different set of notches engaging the cross member 13, the sides 35 and 36 of the seat supporting frame may be held at a substantial angle to the vertical, thus lowering the forward end of the seat frame a substantial distance.

In the preferred form of my construction, arms or arm rests are likewise provided on the chair. These arms comprise fiat strips 48 and 47 connected to opposite sides of the frame. The strip 45 is pivotally connected at 19 to the back supporting frame side member 23 at a point spaced from its upper pivot 25. The arm =12 is likewise pivoted at to a link 3! pivotally supported by one of the aligned pivots l3. Thus in erect position of the frame, the arm as and the link 5| are at substantially right angles to form an arm rest, while in folded position of the chair these members may be parallel. In preferred form, however. the length of the arm 4-3 and the link 56 is sufficient so that a slight angle is maintained between these elements in folded condition of the chair to prevent a reverse folding of the arm rest as the chair is unfolded.

The arm member 43 is pivoted near its rear end by a pivot 32 to the side 24 of the back supporting frame 22. This rest 4'! is pivoted at 53' to the upper end of a link 54 mounted upon the remaining pivot 13. The arm member 4'! and the link 54 are of similar length to the arm memthat the two arms fold in unison.

The various parts of my chair are properly proportioned so that one frame may fit within another in folded condition of the chair as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings. The back supporting frame 22 comprises the widest frame and the side members 23 and 24 of this frame extend parallel to and outwardly of the frame members In and II of the back frame l4. Furthermore the cross member 25 is located a distance from the pivots 25 which is greater than the distance between these pivots 25 and the upper ends of the back frame members [0 and II. As a result the frame member 26 does not interfere with the folding of the side members 23 and 24 into parallel relationship with the side frame members l0 and H.

The rear supporting frame 15 folds inwardly of the side frame members ii) and Il, this frame 15 folding along the aligned pivots 19. It will be noted that the frame members It and H are connected together by a single frame member 23 which does not interfere with the folding of these frame members into parallel relation and inwardly of the frame members 18 and H of the frame Id.

The arms 45 and 47 together with the supporting links 5| and 54 pivot outwardly of the side frame members In and H, and if desired the links 5| and 54 may be parallel to the frame members l0 and H and outwardly thereof in folded position of the arms. It should be noted that the links 5! and 54 are of the same thickness as the side members I3 and I! of the supporting frame l5 and these links are not of sufficient length to extend to the aligned pivots 25 in folded condition of the arms. Thus the arm members 46 and 41 are merely pivoted to the links and to the supporting frame 22 in a manner to fold into substantial alignment as illustrated.

The seat frame 27 folds inwardly of the back supporting frame IS. The side members 29 and 33 of this seat frame 2? are pivotally connected at points spaced from the ends of the side members by the pivots 19. The front transverse frame member 3| thus does not interfere with the folding of the side frame members 29 and 33 into parallel relation of the side members of the back supporting frame l5 and the cross supporting member 32 is likewise spaced from the pivots I!) a distance suflicient to prevent interference with the folding of any of the other frames. The rearwardly projecting portion of the seat frame 27 is shorter than the portion of the back frame i l below the pivots 9 so that the lower cross member E3 of the back frame does not interfere with the proper folding of the seat frame 2'1.

The seat supporting frame 34 folds inwardly of the seat frame, the side members 35 and 36 being spaced apart a distance somewhat less than the distance between the side members 29 and 39 of the seat frame. The cross connectin member 39 of the seat supporting frame does not interfere with the folding of this frame and the side members of all of the various frames may thus fold into parallel relation.

The seat adjusting frame 43 folds inwardly of the seat supporting frame 34. The side members 35 and 36 of the frame 42 pivot about the dowel 39 and the side members 4| and 42 are sufficiently short so that the ends of the adjusting frame adjacent the cross connecting member 44 do not engage the cross member 3| of the seat frame in folded condition of the chair. Thus in folded condition the various side members of all of the frames are in parallel relationship so that the chair may be stored in a relatively small space.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my folding chair, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A folding chair comprising a back frame comprising rectangularly arranged frame members, a back supporting frame pivotally connected to said back frame at a point spaced from the lower end thereof, a second back supporting frame pivotally secured to said back frame between the pivotal connection between the back frame and the first mentioned back supporting frame, and the upper end of the back frame, said first and second back supporting frames being engageable to hold said back frame in an inclined position, a forwardly projecting seat frame pivotally connected to said back frame, a pair of frames for supporting said seat frame, one of which is pivotally connected to said seat frame, and the other of which is pivotally connected to the first seat supporting frame and is adjustably engageable with said back frame.

2. A chair including a rectangular back frame including parallel side members, a U-shaped back supporting frame pivotally connected along aligned pivots to said back frame and swingable outwardly of said side frame members of said back frame into parallel relation therewith, a substantially U-shaped second back supporting frame including parallel side members pivotally connected along aligned pivots to the side members of said back frame and inwardly thereof,

said back supporting members being engageable in an upright position of said chair to hold said back frame in an inclined position, and a seat frame pivotally connected to said second back supporting frame and said back frame at the pivots connecting these last named elements and inwardly thereof, and a flexible seat member suspended between the upper extremity of said back frame and an end of said seat frame.

3. The structure described in claim 2 in which the seat frame is rectangular in form.

4. The structure described in claim 2 in which the seat frame is rectangular in form and including a substantially U-shaped seat supporting frame having parallel sides pivotally connected along aligned pivots to said seat frame and swingable inwardly thereof into parallel relation thereto.

5. A chair including a rectangular back frame including parallel side members, a U-shaped supporting frame pivotally connected along aligned pivots to said back frame and swingable outwardly of said side frame members of said back frame into parallel relation therewith, a substantially U-shaped second back supporting frame including parallel side members pivotally connected along aligned pivots to the side members of said back frame and inwardly thereof, said back supporting members being engageable in an upright position of said chair to hold said back frame in an inclined position, a generally rectangular seat frame pivotally connected to said second back supporting frame and said back frame at the pivots connecting these last named frames and inwardly thereof, and a seat supporting frame comprising a U-shaped member having parallel sides pivotally connected to said seat frame along aligned pivots, and a seat adjusting frame pivotally connected to said seat supporting frame and swingable inwardly thereof, said seat adjusting frame detachably engaging the lower end of said back frame.

6. In a chair construction of the class described, a pair of spaced support elements, a seat frame pivotally connected to said support elements, a seat supporting frame pivotally connected to said seat frame, a seat adjusting frame pivotally connected to said seat supportin frame, and means carried by said support elements engageable by said seat adjusting frame at selective locations to hold said seat frame at a preferred angle with respect to said support elements.

'7. A foldable chair comprising a rectangular back frame including parallel side members and upper and lower transverse members connecting with the ends of said side members, a U-shaped back supporting frame including parallel side members and a transverse member at one end of said second named side members, the second named side members having their ends remote from their transverse member pivotally connected at aligned pivots to said back frame and swingable outwardly of said first named side members into parallel relation therewith, the transverse member of said back supporting frame being spaced at a greater distance from said aligned pivots than the upper transverse member of said back frame, a substantially U-shaped second back supporting frame including parallel side members pivotally connected along aligned pivots to the side members of said back frame and inwardly thereof, the side members of said second back supporting frame having a series of notches engageable with the transverse member of said first named U-shaped back supporting frame to hold said back frame in an inclined position, said second back supporting frame having a transverse member at a lesser distance from the pivotal connection of said second back supporting frame than the distance between said pivotal connection and the upper transverse member of said back frame, and a seat frame pivotally connected to said second back supporting frame and said back frame at the pivots connecting these last named frames and inwardly thereof, and a flexible seat member suspended between the upper transverse member of said back frame and an end of said seat frame.

ALFRED G. W. GROTEFEND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 294,433 Beardsley Mar. 4, 1884 534,501 Evers Feb. 19, 1895 2,182,516 Coble Dec. 5, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 134,588 Austria Aug. 25, 1933 53,178 Denmark June 7, 1937 332,620 Great Britain July 28, 1930 

